September 14, 2015 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Regular Meeting

Rationale: 

1. The Board of Education reserves the right to enter into Closed/Executive Session for 1) the protection of the public interest or 2) the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual, and the individual has not requested a public meeting. When making a motion to enter into Closed/Executive Session, the member making such a request should be as specific as possible keeping the previously listed stipulation in consideration.
2. If the Board is in agreement, a motion may be to enter into Closed/Executive Session to 1) discuss a personnel matter or 2) for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of the individual, or 3) to discuss litigation and for the protection of the public interest.
3. Action Concerning Matters Discussed in Executive Session will be acted upon in open session

Rationale:  Limited to 30 minutes or 5 minutes per speaker

Rationale: 

To verify that notice of the meeting was given by publication in the Benkelman Post, a legal newspaper for Dundy County Stratton and by written notice to each member of the board, the designated method of giving notice.

Rationale:  Approve the agenda of this meeting. The Board reserves the right to change the order of items within the agenda.

Rationale:  Approve minutes of previous meeting(s)

Rationale:  Discuss, consider and take all necessary action regarding:

Rationale: 

Presentation of the financial status of the district, balances in the various funds, recent/impending activity therein, anticipated expenses and planning for future considerations.

Rationale:  This agenda item allows for consideration of the 2015-2016 budget. The finance committee has met and reviewed the budget. The legal notice was published in the Benkelman Post. The documents are attached to this agenda item.

Rationale:  Action is necessary to approve/modify the tax request annually. A state created resolution is attached. 

Rationale:  This item is to allow for discussion of the districts bus routes for 2015-2016 and their approval by the board. Keep in mind that they are subject to change.

Rationale: 

Frenchman Valley $1.21

Farmers Coop $1.11⁹

Southwest Fertilizer $1.13

Last year propane was $1.60

FYI Natural Gas was .439 last year and .349 this year

Rationale: 

Previous negotiations team for the board was Amy Haines (chair), Kent Lorens, Mike Blecha and Sandy Noffsinger. We have not appointed negotiators for this year yet but need to do so. The Statutory timeline is as follows.

By September 1 Association requests recognition (done)

By October 1 the Board responds (done)

By November 1 negotiations must begin

By Feb. 8 If there is no agreement parties submit to resolution officer

March 25 (or within 265 days of the certification of state aid) fact finding and mediation end

September 15th CIR must issue a decision

Rationale: 

JoAnn Decker has submitted her resignation effective on November 30, 2015. We have begun the process of filling the position and will move a quickly as possible. While for legal reasons the board does not approve the hiring, firing or resignations of classified staff, you do acknowledge them from time to time when it is deemed appropriate. Given Mrs. Decker's length of service and work with the administration and board it would be appropriate for the board to acknowledge her resignation and years of service.

We also do not usually schedule retirement receptions for non-certificated staff but in this instance it may be appropriate for the board to consider. 

Rationale: 

In November we must declare whether we will be playing 8 or 11 man football for the next two years. The current NSAA cutoff number for 8 man is a three grade enrollment of 83 or less and the classification is for tow years at a time. As of this time our projected numbers for the next few years are 73*, 83, 83*, 88 and 82*. The numbers with an asterisk are the years we classify and the enrollment that will be used. Based on those numbers (which are subject to change) we would be eligible for 8 man and the 8 man playoffs for the next 6 years.

I am not recommending action but want us to have the conversation.

Rationale:  I have been approached about testifying on behalf of the district at Senator Groene's hearing on NCORPE. The request was that I testify in favor of augmentation. Before do this on such a potentially sticky issue I would like both the board's input and permission.

Rationale:  The safety committee needs to meet and review Ed Johnson's safety audit and Rule 10 safety visit.

Rationale:  Mike and Adam will present some preliminary assessment information based on last years scores.

Rationale:  Our official enrollment numbers are attached.

Rationale: 

1.  Laptops will be checked out Monday and Tuesday, Sept 14 & 15.

2.  20/20 Techs

Rationale:  I will try to make sure we have you up to date on our classified staff hirings to this point.

Rationale:  Dr. Jim Tenopir has returned for a  year as interim Executive Director of the NSAA. Our state was very fortunate that an individual of his caliber, experience and dedication was available. It is always good when a person with the skills, qualifications and background for a job show up on your doorstep available. For those of you who don't know Dr. Tenopir was our state executive director for a number of years before resigning to become the Chief Operating Officer of the National Federation of High Schools, the national parent organization of NSAA. The NSAA board has decided not to hire an outside consultant this time but rather to rely on their own expertise to conduct the search for and selection of a permanent executive director. 

Rationale: 

At the first NRCSA Executive Committee meeting of the year in Kearney on July 25, the agenda included:

Some information from the Jan Eric Pusch Foundation about creating programs for student in rural schools. The foundation is looking to be very philanthropic, but has nothing specific on their agenda at this time. 

Using Teletherapy for speech language therapy in rural areas. There is a company called Global Teletherapy which has begun piloting this program. 

Teacher shortages in all rural areas but especially in the Career and Technical Education areas. 

Just an FYI.

Rationale:  I have been asked to serve on the McCook Community College Foundation Board of Directors. I did accept that appointment. 

Rationale:  Registrations and reservations are due soon. The conference is in Papillion on November 18-20. If you want to go we need to know at the meeting. Registration opens on September 16 and runs until the 25th. Reservation codes will be sent out on September 28. we need to let you know by the 25th if you plan to attend. 

Rationale:  This will be in North Platte on September 30. Jason, Kevin and I all transferred our registration from Kearney. There will be 6 of you receiving  awards that evening. Please plan to attend.